If you’re an athlete, particularly an endurance athlete, chances are you’ve experienced some kind of gastrointestinal distress or problems, shall we say, in the area of digestion before, during, or after exercise. I have countless stories of cramping, bloating, bonking, and other unpleasant sensations as a result of poor nutritional choices around training and competition. It’s a very complicated topic, as both the causes and solutions are far from clear cut. But this week’s episode I sit down with registered dietitian and PhD researcher Patrick Wilson to hear about his new book, The Athlete’s Gut, and some of the latest research on the topic so that athletes can make better food choices to avoid problems in the gut.

We cover a lot of ground in an hour, everything from the main sources of gut distress in athletes, individualized fueling strategies during exercise and competition, how to “train the gut”, considerations around the double edged sword of fiber, plant-based athletes, and more. It’s an excellent primer for any athlete wanting to optimize nutrition and better digestive health. Be sure to check out Patrick’s book for more science and wisdom, and follow him on Twitter @SportsRD_PhD.

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